September 2013

Dear Friends of Israel,

The events in Egypt demonstrate that a power struggle is underway in the Islamic world. Although the deposed president, Morsi, and the Muslim Brotherhood came to power through democratic elections, the fierce opposition to their rule that arose among the people in just one year was threatening to plunge the entire nation into chaos. To prevent that, the Army stepped in and set the government aside. However, the Army avoided taking full control and installed a transition government instead, to keep the intervention from being characterized as a military coup. That could have led to the loss of American support, since the United States sees itself as the defender of democracy. The events in Egypt have shown once again that Sharia law and western-style democracy cannot be effectively combined.

It has not yet been determined, which power will ever gain the upper hand. The situation differs widely from country to country. The media reports indicate that even the political experts are at somewhat of a loss. For example, less than a year ago it was widely believed that the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria was imminent. He’s still there though, and in the meantime, it even appears that he might emerge victorious from the conflict. No one has yet really dared to say which outcome would be better.

As far as Iran is concerned, many had hoped that the election of a more moderate President would defuse the situation and that he would be more forthcoming in regard to the development of atomic weapons. That is also beginning to look like a false hope. The consequences of a military strike on the Iranian nuclear program is another topic that no one can really predict.

Then there is still Turkey, which has also been gripped in unrest, started mostly by young people who are concerned about the slow, quiet Islamisation of Turkey under Erdogan’s leadership and who are unwilling to settle for it.

A recent article to that effect appeared in an Israeli newspaper with the title, “Is Erdogan the new Ahmedinejad?” The writer provided samples from the turkish media that show how Turkey, under Erdogan, has become more anti-semitic.

There are still some people who believe that the former, good relationship between Israel and Turkey can be restored. Therefore Israel, under the mediation of President Obama, apologized to turkey for the Mavi-Marmara incident. The latest developments however, show that Erdogan isn’t really interested in that.

Erdogan and his partisan sympathizers blamed Israel and the Jews for the unrest and protests in Turkey. A pro-AKP (governing party) newspaper alleged there was evidence that a conspiracy by the Jewish lobby in the USA was behind the protests against Erdogan. Even the mayor of Ankara stated that the protests were a ruse by the Jewish lobby, to undermine Turkey’s government. Jewish bankers were supposedly a dark power that was envious of Erdogan’s government, as well as the economic success and Turkey’s rise to greatness under Erdogan’s leadership. Other, similar accusations were raised by members of the governing party against the Jews and Israel, but what did Erdogan do about it? Nothing.

President Obama named Erdogan, “one of the five world leaders, with whom he had a relationship of friendship and trust.” The writer of the article noted, “It’s high time for a new assessment.”

All these developments ought to be sufficient cause for regional concern in Israel, but even so, Israel has just entered into new negotiations with the Palestinians.

In spite of all these threats, we know that God has a plan and a purpose for everything that happens in the world.